Hey' I'm Rich McCoy, I build and lead creative teams, make things with paint, rags and bone, and think a little to much.

News: I'm currently exhibiting at The Southern Cross in Wellington, New Zealand, prints for most of the work can be found on » Society 6 «

I was born in the UK and raised in the African desert by bushmen. Okay, that might be a stretch - my parents were from the UK, but I did grow up shaking Kalahari sand out of my shoes. And I think I'm a better man for it. Something about those vast open expanses and the untamed animals has given me what some might call a wild and unlimited outlook on life.

I emerged in the interactive space in '95, back in mother's land, after completing a Fine Arts degree, while making Clip Art for a multimedia company. Since then I've worked for some of the leading agencies around the world (AKQA, LBI, Edelman, and Saatchi), and many Fortune 100 companies, as an interactive Art Director / UX Designer / Creative Director. I've also made a crust as an Illustrator, Photographer, Painter and Sculptor – disciplines that have immeasurably enhanced my world of pixels. It would be fair to say I'm a creative thinker who refuses to be constrained by the traditional boundaries of the medium. You can thank the bushmen for that.

For the last decade my work has taken me and my family to live in the wonderful city of Melbourne with its fine coffee and culture, the bountiful Kati-Kati in New Zealand's Bay of Plenty, the rugged West Coast of Ireland, The idyllic freethinking Waiheke Island off the coast of Auckland, An intriguing French expat community near Bergerac, the scorchingly hot Brisbane, rural Somerset in England, and currently Windy Wellington in New Zealand.

I love to instil honesty and humanity into my life and work, having poured my heart and soul into pretty much everything online – from banking systems to online communities, artist portfolios to political awareness campaigns, and online shopping stores selling everything from cheap t-shirts to multimillion dollar homes.

13 tales of misadventure and stupidity

No.1

I exist today partly because of an ill footing donkey and a Russian bullet in the Khyber Pass.

No.2

At the age of 16, I shared an exhibition with the Artist David Hockney, he hadn't the faintest idea who I was.

No.3

Just before my 3rd birthday, I was kidnapped, I am told it was for use in black magic rituals, I'm not sure I want any more detail on the matter.

No4

Phil Rudd, the notorious drummer of AC/DC once asked me to paint flames on the side of his helicopter whilst I was doing a branding and digital project for him, I decided it wasn’t going to be a good idea, I still stand by my decision.

No.5

On the 28th February 1994, the day after my 21st birthday, I found myself filming a documentary with the Gonzo illustrator Ralph Steadman, armed with a cucumber sandwich and hangover that would have made his partner in crime Hunter S. Thompson giggle, I don't think I've ever really recovered from the experience.

No.6

The benches of London, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, and Cardiff have served as a bed for me at one time or another, I concluded that sleeping homeless is not that much fun, encores at gigs are great, but rarely worth missing the train home for and even the best friend in the world can get infuriating when faced with sleep deprivation.

No.7

Many years ago, now whilst watching the sun go down on the beach at the end of the garden of my Waiheke home, I received a phone call unannounced from a famous movie producer in Hollywood regarding a project he was working on, I'm still not allowed to discuss it.

No.8

I will quite possibly be killed by a pineapple, on account of them being the only thing that I am aware I have an allergy to, they don't even look like the friendliest of fruits so I'm not too fussed.

No.9

I've been Vegan since I drank a glass of milk and had a terrible reaction to it causing me to have and unpleasant accident whilst driving in the Bay of Plenty.

No.10

In 1979, in a small African mining town in Botswana, I discovered my younger brother surrounded by a pack of hyenas, my 6-year-old mind faced with the unthinkable dilemma of explaining to my mother that her youngest son had become a hearty meal for the local wildlife. I quickly grabbed a large nearby stick and charged. Thankfully I was more formidable than I anticipated and the pack scarpered.

No.11

In 1999, I happened to find myself in an arts community that had set up in an abandoned women’s mental hospital in the UK's peak district. All was going interestingly well with thew evening performance from an American traveling performance art group, made me realise that this wasn’t the type of Arts community that 5 years of Arts education had prepared me for, and I fled of across the peaks with nothing but the moon and the distant lights of the rural train station to guide me.

No.12

I nearly lost my right arm to a poisonous caterpillar, I forgave the little fellow, however, we are no longer talking.

No.13

I have an almost OCD like affinity with the number 13.

Work History

Design Chapter LeadTrade Me (Marketplace)

May 2016 » DateWellingtonNew Zealand.Permanent

Digital Creative DirectorDoner

June 2014 » May 2016BathEngland.Permanent

Creative Director / OwnerMcCoy Digital

Oct 2005 » Sept 2014InternationalRegistered UK.Permanent

Senior Digital Art DirectorThe Just Group

Aug 2012 » May 2014MelbourneAustralia.Permanent

Senior UX DesignerCucumber

March 2010 » Aug 2012TaurangaNew Zealand.Permanent

Interactive Art DirectorThe Hyperfactory

June 2009 » Sept 2009AucklandNew Zealand.Contract

Interactive Art DirectorM&C Saatchi

Sept 2008 » Jan 2009AucklandNew Zealand.Contract

Creative DirectorEventfinder

June 2008 » Sept 2008AucklandNew Zealand.Contract

Interactive Art DirectorEmap

Sept 2007 » May 2008PeterboroughEngland.Contract

Interactive Art DirectorDigital LBi

Nov 2006 » Sept 2007LondonEngland.Contract

Interactive Art DirectorAKQA

Feb 2006 » March 2007LondonEngland.Contract

Creative DirectorSpeakout Ltd

Mar 2005 » Oct 2005BrisbaneAustralia.Permanent

Senior Web DesignerLightstone Ltd

Feb 2001 » March 2005PeterboroughEngland.Permanent

Senior Web DesignerSAS Digital Ltd

Feb 2000 » Feb 2001CheltenhamEngland.Permanent

Software Engineer (Web UI)Box 5 Ltd

Feb 1999 » Feb 2000BirminghamEngland.Permanent

Web DesignerTrinity Mirror News Papers Group

July 1997 » Feb 1999LiverpoolEngland.Permanent

Web DesignerThe Web Shed Ltd

Nov 1996 » July 1997LiverpoolEngland.Contract

Photoshop TutorArtskills

Feb 1995 » Jan 1997LiverpoolEngland.Voluntary

Video Editor & Gallery AssistantFACT

Dec 1995 » June 1996LiverpoolEngland.Voluntary

Multimedia DesignerLion Rock Multimedia Ltd

Nov 1995 » Aug 1996WarringtonEngland.Contract

Education

Performance TechnologyEdge Hill University College

1996 » 1997LiverpoolEngland.GNVQ

Business ManagementUniversity of Liverpool

1995 » 1996LiverpoolEngland.GNVQ

Fine ArtUniversity of Gloucestershire

1991 » 1994CheltenhamEngland.BA (hons)

Psychology & SociologyUniversity of Worcester

May 1990 » 1991WorcesterEngland.A Special

Art & DesignUniversity of Worcester

May 1988 » 1990WorcesterEngland.National Diploma

Training

Resiliance TrainingTrade Me

2017

Courageous ConversationsTrade Me

2017

Leadership TrainingTrade Me

2017

Unconciuos ConditioningTrade Me

2016

XML / XSLTLightstone

2002

Project ManagmentLightstone

2002

Testimonials folks have been kind enough to write

Rich is one of a kind, someone who l have grown to admire over the years. Whilst working with Rich at the Just Group, he was able to achieve considerable in a short space of time. Not only was Rich a great team player and a perfect cultural fit in what was a pressure cooker at times, he was also a great manager of staff, they all loved him. Rich achievements included redesigning all eDM communications (best practice) across Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Dotti, Portman’s, Jacqui E, Peter Alexander & Smiggle along with redesigning/re-launching websites for Just Jeans, Dotti & Jacqui E, which had immediate financial impact. I am delighted to know Rich and is someone l truly admire. In short she is a gun!

Lisa Albert Group General Manager Taking Shape

It has been refreshing working with a designer that is both good at what they do but also understand the medium they are working with. Rich fits this type of creative perfectly: he has a fantastic eye for detail and has some excellent skills making things look both pretty and simple. Not only is he talented professionally, he also has a great personality. He's a bubbly, compassionate guy that gets along with everyone. (NB: He's also got great musical, film and art tastes - worth asking about!) I really hope that I get to work with Rich again; I consider him a good friend and will actively strive to keep in touch both professionally and personally.

Paul Mason VP Engineering at Xero

Rich is an exceptional talent with an impressive work ethic - a combination that is often difficult to find. His capacity to interpret clients needs into innovative and compelling visual design solutions is significant and evident in his vast body of work. He is passionate about his creative practice and design, photography, illustration and media communicate and infuse his professional and personal life. I have no hesitation in recommending Rich McCoy. Not only is he creative and highly skilled he is also a wonderful human being.

Aleem Ali Managing Director Speak Out Ltd.

I had worked with Rich previously whilst he was a Senior Designer at our New Media agency. When I moved on to another financial services company and needed some design work, Rich had become a freelance designer. I had no hesitation in commissioning him to do the work for us, and am are very happy with the quality of the results, his responsiveness and attitude to our requirements and his web design and build expertise.

Terry Cawkwelle-Commerce Manager Stroud and Swindon Building Society

Rich is a very nice person to work with. He's an excellent creative designer, with a keen eye for detail. I would highly recommend Rich, to anyone considering working with him.

Kosmas ChatzimichalisSenior Software Engineer Protocus Ltd.

After deciding to do a charity marathon, my first task was to find a web designer that could build me a website to help advertise my journey. After searching on Google, I found McCoy digital. The resulting website was both unique and memorable. Rich is an awesome guy and went above and beyond what was expected to get the job done. I look forward to working with him in the future.

Brilliant to work with. He listens, checks that he understands and has produced more than expected.

Pete RussellFounder / CEO Ooooby

Rich is a good bet for both graphic and web design. He's comfortable working with strong existing brands as well as developing exciting innovative brands from scratch. Rich takes a proactive and consultative approach which left me feeling engaged and completely informed throughout the creative process. He has the breadth of technical and design skills that make him extremely useful in this field.

Clive DisdaleE-Commerce Programme Manager Harrods

I had worked with Rich in a previous role and when B & Q undertook the project of redeveloping the DIY.com web site I had no hesitation in hiring him. Rich merged with the internal & external (agency) team seamlessly. Through an aggressive design and build phase Rich proved to be a valuable team member. His experience & knowledge regarding not only design & code but user interaction proved essential in delivering such a customer focused site. McCoy digital have worked since on several projects ranging in scope and size. Each has been delivered to the same high standard and expertise.

Philip WardChange and Experience Manager B & Q plc

We contacted Rich to help us out with the design for a couple of web sites we were working on and needed some extra capacity. We where really impressed with the quality of the work provided and with Rich's refreshingly friendly and professional approach to doing business!

Mark ElderHead of Design Drive Business

I worked with Rich on a large web project for a leading UK publishing company. His attention to detail, understanding of designing for the web (with usability in mind) and professionalism are second to none. He's also a great guy who's easy to get along with and would be a cultural asset to any company.

Matt McCallumHead of User Experience Virgin Media

Having dealt with plenty of designers, as a web developer I have rarely met anyone who can grasp an exact understanding of the look and feel required as well as Rich. This along with the fact he is a pleasure to deal with means I plan to work with Rich plenty more times in the future.

James BaileyOwner Student Recipes.com

Rich is an inspirational creative force and a pleasure to work with. His enthusiasm and imagination combined with total professionalism and his ability as an astute and natural communicator ensures that he adds real value to any team and delivers great results.

David SimpsonDirector Lightstone Interactive

Working with Rich McCoy on '42 Writers for Liberty' was an absolute pleasure. Rich was professional, speedy and provided us with excellent advice, especially when it came to last minute changes – which he dealt with in an incredibly patient and helpful manner! In addition to being a pleasure to work with, Rich designed a really beautiful website, paying real care and attention to our brand and messaging. The result was a site that worked perfectly with the overall branding of Liberty's Charge or Release campaign. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending Rich to anyone and I sincerely hope I have the opportunity to work with him again in the near future.

Sabina FredianiCampaigns Coordinator Liberty Human Rights

I have worked with Rich twice, the first time was for one of my clients, the second time was for my own website, Rich's input was invaluable both technically and creatively and meant the process on both occasions was smooth, delivering exactly what was needed on time and within budget. I look forward to working with him again.

Damon RichsonDesign Director Studio Richardson

Rich is a skilled designer, very personable and delivered to our requirements. On a busy project Rich was a valuable asset to the team and helped us meet our deadlines.

Bruce ConlonProgram Manager LBi

Ahoy Rich. Thanks for a great site build. We were well impressed with the efficiency with which you work and how well you replicated Rowans site design in web space. Your feedback throughout the process was clear and concise and the suggestions you made for various improvements to the functionality of the site as the build progressed proved insightful and effective. We felt well understood and in capable hands from the outset! And, for a commercial project, it proved a refreshingly easy and fun process. We enjoyed and continue to enjoy working with you. Nice one!

Rowan and Mark SommersetAuthor and Illustrator Dreamboat Books

Rich has been superb. Having contacted him via email and put forward a brief outline of what I was looking for I have been extremely happy with every aspect of the site as it has developed. Rich has taken the idea's in my head and made a sharp, clean site which is much more than I ever dreamed it could be I am so pleased. I will use Rich in any further web development I require as I he seems to understand exactly what I need with vague information from myself. He is easy to contact and extremely punctual in his work even though he is an extremely busy guy. 10/10.

Martin HeatherOwner Our - Eczema

Side projects

A bag full of notable clients

Commercial UX / Ecommerce / Digital design portfolio

Due to the commercial sensitivity of some of my UX / digital design work, you will need to have been provided login details to access my portfolio.